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May 10, 2012

What does the Bible say about Gay Marriage?

Answer: While the Bible does address homosexuality, it does not explicitly mention gay marriage/same-sex marriage. It is clear, however, that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.

Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24; describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33; the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Biblically speaking, marriage is the lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.

The Bible alone, however, does not have to be used to demonstrate this understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage. Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good gender role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In nature/physicality, clearly, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, clearly only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. Nature argues against gay marriage.

So, if the Bible, history, psychology, and nature all argue for marriage being between a man and a woman—why is there such a controversy today? Why are those who are opposed to gay marriage/same-sex marriage labeled as hateful, intolerant bigots, no matter how respectfully the opposition is presented? Why is the gay rights movement so aggressively pushing for gay marriage/same-sex marriage when most people, religious and non-religious, are supportive of—or at least far less opposed to—gay couples having all the same legal rights as married couples with some form of civil union?

The answer, according to the Bible, is that everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural, and the only way to suppress this inherent knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all opposition to it. The best way to normalize homosexuality is by placing gay marriage/same-sex marriage on an equal plane with traditional opposite-gender marriage. Romans 1:18-32 illustrates this. The truth is known because God has made it plain. The truth is rejected and replaced with a lie. The lie is then promoted and the truth suppressed and attacked. The vehemence and anger expressed by many in the gay rights movement to any who oppose them is, in fact, an indication that they know their position is indefensible. Trying to overcome a weak position by raising your voice is the oldest trick in the debating book. There is perhaps no more accurate description of the modern gay rights agenda than Romans 1:31; “they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

To give sanction to gay marriage/same-sex marriage would be to give approval to the homosexual lifestyle, which the Bible clearly and consistently condemns as sinful. Christians should stand firmly against the idea of gay marriage/same-sex marriage. Further, there are strong and logical arguments against gay marriage/same-sex marriage from contexts completely separated from the Bible. One does not have to be an evangelical Christian to recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman.

According to the Bible, marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Gay marriage/same-sex marriage is a perversion of the institution of marriage and an offense to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. Rather, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and contend for truth with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).

As a Christian woman I ask you how you feel then about Jesus charging us to "Love your neighbor as yourself" in Matthew 22 ... Sin is sin. We ALL fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23)..lies, judgement, gossip, homosexuality... sin is sin. As I grow closer to Christ and learn more about Him the softer my heart grows for the homosexual community. Jesus loves us. Jesus loves them. They are us. We are them. All human. All made in the image of God and yet ALL sinners. What a gift that Christ took the blame. Went to the cross and took our sin on his own body. Bled, suffered and died for us. For nothing He could ever deserve. Grace is AMAZING indeed.

What you say about sin is indeed true. However if we wish for divine forgivness we are told to "REPENT" our sin. That means to turn away from it. How would you repent from homosexual sin and continue to practice a homosexual lifestyle.

God loves all sinners buy hates the sin commited by them. Its not a subject of Sebate that Gaye should get married in church because it is clearly stated in the bible (holy book) that God is against it. its is end time, let us be careful of what we say or do when it comes to the thing of God remebring that God loves and cares for us all and at the same time he is a consuming fire whend taken for granted. Respect man buy fear God.

This is a thought-prevoking article. I see a couple of comments that are typical of the modern world, one which is hateful, and one which is typical of the "lukewarm" Christian, who is so desirous of admiration that he or she chooses to 'tickle the ears' of those around them so as to avoid conflict. The bible is very clear on the purpose of marriage, and same sex couples do not fit that purpose. It is true that God loves all of us, and our sin grieves Him mightily. However, His love is not a license to sin; rather, it is a call to repentance, to the cessation of sin. When we are called to love one another, it did not say, or mean, in a sexual, lusty way. And to twist the words of the Bible to justify a sinful lifestyle? Perhaps a bigger sin yet. There are people whose lustful ways attract them to children, animals, and other things. How long before those things become societal norms? How long before those who practice such heinous crimes against nature begin to demands special rights that are not due them, and acceptance from the religious world? More importantly, will the church back farther away from God's Holy Word in order to accomodate these people?

This dicussion is not about hate, bigotry, or equal rights/protections. It is about right and wrong. My heart breaks for the homosexual community, but not because they cannot find the acceptance they seek. It is because they need forgivness for the sin their lives, and have not yet chosen to repent and leave the sin behind.

For those who may choose to respond and condemn the viewpoint of either the author or myself, I would urge you to go to the Word, and examine just what it is that motivates you to defend this sin. Is it because you know it's wrong and you want so badly for it to be right? Is it because God is speaking to your heart and you want to shut him out? Pray, seek God's Word, and find the truth. He will guide you.

@AnonymousHey, I totally agree with you! Sin is sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. That isn't the issue here. The issue is protecting our children and teaching them what is right and wrong. With society today saying that homosexuality is ok, as Christians, how do we tell them it isn't. The issue is also not that gay people can't be forgiven. Absolutely they can. BUT, they have to turn from their wicked ways in the same way every other sinner is expected to. As believers we still sin, but, we make a conscious effort not to. The gay movement is fighting to say that it is not a sin.

I see what you're saying but I think this article is speaking that we should not feel bad to speak the truth. we love all people but that doesn't mean we have to agree with what they do. The world we live in encourages sin. And as Christians we should not encourage sin but Bible principles and a closer walk w with God.

The Bible also states:“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ~ Matthew 7:1-5

And the point made here is just what happens when we read really angry responses:...that everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural, and the only way to suppress this inherent knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all opposition to it.

It IS about perpetuating the lie. We do t hate them but point them to the truth.

Most are 'old covenant' so you can hide behind that but there is an interesting verse from Timothy that clearly says women shouldn't braid their hair or wear any gold.

Now as far as forsaking the old covenant here is what Jesus had to say, “For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19 RSV) Clearly the Old Testament is to be abided by until the end of human existence itself. None other then Jesus said so.

When Paul speaks in Romans about the 'new covenant' he is talking about animal sacrifice no longer being necessary for forgiveness. "But now we are released from, having died to that which held us captive, so the we serve in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code" Romans 7:6

Anyway, my point is everyone picks and chooses the verses they follow and if you are going to quote any old testament laws, you really have to be blind to your own hypocrisy.

This post is inaccurate. Aside from biblical sources, no sources are cited. When you say "modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another." You do not cite a source and therefore the statement is not credible. If you had cited a "modern secular psychologist" then the statement would've been credible. Also, the "recommended resource" is by two doctors but their doctorates are in religion-related fields. I think it is pretty clear that this post is biased. Also, if we're going to take the bible literally, wearing polyester is a sin (Leviticus 19:19), and also eating shellfish (Leviticus 11:10) but are you working to ban those?